At 35, how can I control my hypothalamic obesity?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 35-year-old woman who developed hypothalamic obesity after brain surgery. No matter what I do, diet or exercise, I keep gaining weight, which is very frustrating. I also worry if pregnancy is possible with this condition.

Please tell me;

Why is this type of obesity so hard to control compared to regular weight gain?
Are there medicines or injections that can help women like me?
Does it increase risk for diabetes, heart disease, or infertility?
How do doctors track progress when weight loss is so resistant?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Craniopharyngioma is a tumor of the pituitary gland in the brain. Usually, during the removal of a tumor, there is damage to the hypothalamus, which is connected to the pituitary, and this damage can be short-term or even temporary.

As a result, there is improper regulation and release of hormones from the pituitary, leading to deranged insulin levels, growth hormones, and other hormones in your body. It also leads to symptoms like

Excess hunger.
Excessive weight gain, which is called hypothalamic obesity.
Multiple hormonal deficiencies.

But treatment is generally symptomatic and aims to improve diet and lifestyle, and medicines to improve hormonal deficiencies in your body. Medicines like GLP1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) analogues can be used for long-term treatment as well as to enhance satiety and help with obesity.

You can discuss these with your treating physician.

Yes, it is important to monitor hormone levels regularly and make changes in medicines as and when required. And this is how doctors also monitor your progress. Fertility again depends on your hormone levels. You may share reports of the recent hormone panel that your doctor got done.

I hope this information helps you.

Feel free to ask further queries.

Thank you.